Dynamic cell shaping using load information on transmitted beam patterns

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media herein dynamically modify the beam patterns used by an antenna array to communicate with user devices in a sector. A set of metrics are monitored and used to generate time-averaged beam quality values for a default beam pattern and then compared to a time-averaged beam quality of a subset of beams within the default beam pattern. If the time-averaged beam quality for the subset of beams exceeds a percentage of the time-averaged beam quality of the default beam pattern, the antenna array is re-assigned to communicate via a second beam pattern.

SUMMARY

A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention is providedhere as an overview of the disclosure and to introduce a selection ofconcepts further described below in the detailed description. Thissummary is not intended to identify key features or essential featuresof the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aidin isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In brief and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among otherthings, systems, methods, and computer-readable media that employ loadinformation to dynamically shape cells on transmitted beam patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, andwherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic for an exemplary device, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary telecommunications environment, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary schematic of the cell site, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary schematic of available and modified beampatterns for a cell site, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary method, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary computing device suitable for use inimplementations of aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of select embodiments of the present invention isdescribed with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. TheDetailed Description is not intended to define what is regarded as theinvention, which is the purpose of the claims. The claimed subjectmatter might be embodied in other ways to include different steps orcombinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, inconjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should notbe interpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

Throughout the description of the present invention, several acronymsand shorthand notations are used to aid the understanding of certainconcepts pertaining to the associated system and services. Theseacronyms and shorthand notations are solely intended for the purpose ofproviding an easy methodology of communicating the ideas expressedherein and are in no way meant to limit the scope of the presentinvention. The following is a list of these acronyms:

AWS Advanced Wireless Services BRS Broadband Radio Service BTS BaseTransceiver Station CDMA Code Division Multiple Access EBS EducationalBroadband Services eNodeB Evolved Node B EVDO Evolution-Data OptimizedGPS Global Positioning System GSM Global System for MobileCommunications HRPD High Rate Packet Data eHRPD Enhanced High RatePacket Data LTE Long Term Evolution LTE-A Long Term Evolution AdvancedPCS Broadband Personal Communications Service RNC Radio NetworkController SyncE Synchronous Ethernet TDM Time-Division MultiplexingVOIP Voice Over Internet Protocol WAN Wide Area Network WCS WirelessCommunications Service WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess

Further, various technical terms are used throughout this description. Adefinition of such terms can be found in, for example, Newton's TelecomDictionary by H. Newton, 31st Edition (2018). These definitions areintended to provide a clearer understanding of the ideas disclosedherein but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.The definitions and terms should be interpreted broadly and liberally tothe extent allowed by the meaning of the words offered in theabove-cited reference.

Embodiments of the technology may be embodied as, among other things, amethod, system, or computer-program product. Accordingly, theembodiments may take the form of a hardware embodiment, or an embodimentcombining software and hardware. In one embodiment, the presentinvention takes the form of a computer-program product that includescomputer-useable instructions embodied on one or more computer-readablemedia.

Computer-readable media includes volatile and/or nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media, and contemplate media readable by adatabase, a switch, and various other network devices. Network switches,routers, and related components are conventional in nature, as are meansof communicating with the same. By way of example and not limitation,computer-readable media comprise computer storage media and/orcommunications media. Computer storage media, or machine-readable media,include media implemented in any method or technology for storinginformation. Examples of stored information include computer-useableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and other datarepresentations. Computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs(DVDs), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disc storage, and/or other magneticstorage devices. These memory components can store data momentarily,temporarily, or permanently. Computer storage media does not encompass atransitory signal, in embodiments of the present invention.

Communications media typically store computer-useable instructions,including data structures and program modules, in a modulated datasignal. The term “modulated data signal” refers to a propagated signalthat has one or more of its characteristics set or changed to encodeinformation in the signal. Communications media include anyinformation-delivery media. By way of example but not limitation,communications media include wired media, such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, infrared,radio, microwave, spread-spectrum, and other wireless mediatechnologies. Combinations of the above are included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

Synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), also referred to assynchronization signals, are a transmission sent by an antenna element,antenna array, or antenna at a cell site. In some aspects, the SSB maybe an NR-5G specific SSB. SSBs typically consist of three components,including a primary synchronization signal, secondary synchronizationsignal, and a broadcast channel. SSBs are used for synchronization, cellsearching, and initial beamforming. Typically, SSBs are sent inrepetition, such as in bursts. In conventional systems, during MassiveMIMO deployment, a network operator selects a default or static numberof SSB beams used at a particular cell site. In these systems, thisgeneric SSB beam configuration is often implemented across the market ornetwork contributing to a less than optimal network coverage.Additionally, channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) areused to estimate the channel and report channel quality information andmay be transmitted by an antenna element, antenna array, or antenna at acell site.

Beams, as used herein, may refer to the SSB beams or CSI-RS beams thatare formed by the antennas in the antenna array of a cell site. Forexample, in an antenna array, some or all of these antennas are used toform the SSB beams or CSI-RS beams. An SSB beam configuration refers tothe quantity beams formed by the antennas of the antenna array. In someaspects, the quantity of beams could be one, two, four, six, and larger.

Instead of the typically static beam configuration utilized at a cellsite, aspects herein provide for dynamically modifying the beam patternsat a cell site based on a calculated time-averaged beam quality of themodified beam pattern. For example, when too many users move locationsto a left or a right portion of the beam pattern, the lesser used sideof the beam pattern will provide a reduced beam quality. Thus, bymodifying the antenna array and thus the beam pattern, the number ofbeams broadcasting to the lesser used portion of the area serviced bythe antenna array is decreased.

In practice, assume a cell site has eight SSB beams. During operation,temporal fluctuations in user traffic occur due to user movement,increase in demand, or decrease in demand. Consequently, the demand onan antenna array and thus the beam pattern varies over time. Bymodifying the beam pattern, improvements to coverage to compensate forfluctuations in demand can occur.

To do so, a time-averaged beam quality is calculated for each beamwithin a default beam pattern using a set of metrics. In aspects, thedefault beam pattern is the full beam pattern including all of thebeams. Those metrics may include, but are not limited to, a time-averageof the number of active UEs being served by the beam, a time-average ofthe down load traffic volume transmitted or yet to be transmitted, atime-average of the upload traffic received or yet to be received fromUEs, and a time average of signal quality values. Each of these metricsis calculated for the UEs that consider these beams as strong servingcells. The time-averaged values are monitored at a cell site or acomponent thereof (e.g., eNodeB, gNodeB) over a configurable period oftime. Once the time-averaged beam quality is determined for all beams,the top ‘k’ beams are selected as a subset of beams and are the beamswith the highest beam qualitys. The beam pattern with the lowest numberof beams and includes all of the top ‘k’ beams is implemented at thecell site. After a pre-determined time interval, the cell site revertsback to the default beam pattern.

In one aspect, a method is provided for dynamically modifying beampatterns based on time-averaged beam quality for each beam is provided.The method comprises calculating a time-average beam quality for eachbeam in a default beam pattern. Based on the time-averaged beam quality,selecting the top ‘k’ beams, where is less than the total number ofbeams. Determining the smallest beam pattern available for a set ofavailable beam patterns. Assign the antenna array to broadcast using thedetermined smallest beam pattern. Monitoring uplink noise at a cell siteover a configurable period of time.

In another aspect, computer-readable storage media havingcomputer-executable instructions embodied thereon is provided that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform amethod. The method includes calculating a time-average beam quality foreach beam in a default beam pattern. Based on the time-averaged beamquality, selecting the top subset of beams, where the subset of beams isless than the total number of beams. Determining the smallest beampattern available for the subset of beams from a set of available beampatterns. Assign the antenna array to broadcast using the determinedsmallest beam pattern.

In yet another aspect, a system for deactivating SSB beams based onuplink noise is provided. The system comprises one or more UEs and acell site comprising a plurality of antennas forming a plurality ofbeams for a first beam pattern. The cell site monitors a set of metricsat the cell site. The cell site also determines the time-averaged beamquality for each beam of the first beam pattern. The cell site furtherdetermines a second beam pattern comprising at least k number of beams,where k is less than the total number of beams for the first beampatterns. Dynamically switching from the first beam pattern to thesecond beam pattern based on a determination that the time average beamquality for the second beam pattern is greater than a percentage of thetotal average beam quality for all beams of the first beam pattern.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , an example of a network environment 100 suitablefor use in implementing embodiments of the present disclosure isprovided. The network environment 100 is but one example of a suitablenetwork environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of the disclosure. Neither should thenetwork environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of componentsillustrated.

The network environment 100 includes a network 102 that provides serviceto current UE 104 and 106 and one or more legacy UE 108 and 110. Thenetwork 102 may be accessible through a base station 112 that isconnected to a backhaul server (not shown). The base station 112 and/ora computing device (e.g., whether local or remote) associated with thebase station 112 may manage or otherwise control the operations ofcomponents of a cell site, including an antenna array 116. The basestation 112 and/or the computing device associated with the base station112 may include one or more processors and computer-readable storagemedia having computer-executable instructions or computer instructionmodules embodied thereon for execution by one or more processors.

The antenna array 116 may radiate in a particular direction and thus maycorrespond to a particular sector of a cell site. The antenna array 116may have a plurality of antenna elements, in embodiments. In oneembodiment, the antenna array 116 is configured to have a plurality ofelements that in number, arrangement, and/or density, are configured formMIMO. In one such embodiment, the base station 112 may include a radioand/or a controller, such as a Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-OutputUnit for controlling a mMIMO configured antenna array, such as theantenna array 116 having a plurality of antenna elements. The basestation 112 may use the controller to monitor one or more of throughput,signal quality metrics (e.g., SINR), a quantity of uniqueusers/subscribers, a quantity of unique UE(s), and/or remote locationfilings that occur at the base station, all of which may be monitoreddynamically and/or as stored in a data store.

The base station 112 may use a radio that is connected to the antennaarray 116 by a physical RF path, where the radio is used to cause theantenna array 116 to transmit radio-frequency signals using theplurality of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements in theantenna array 116 may include portions of antenna elements (not shown).In embodiments, the plurality of antenna elements of the antenna array116 may be partitioned such that a first portion of antenna elements maybe associated with, dedicated to, correspond to, and/or be configured tooperate using a first access technology, and a second portion of antennaelements may be associated with, dedicated to, correspond to, and/or beconfigured to operate using a second access technology. In oneembodiment, the plurality of antenna elements may be partitioned intounequal groups or alternatively “split” into equal halves, wherein eachgroup or half operates to provide a coverage area for a distinct accesstechnology when the antenna array 116 operates in a dual technologymode.

Accordingly, in one example, when the antenna array 116 is operating inthe dual technology mode, the base station 112 concurrently acts aneNodeB (or “eNB”) and gNodeB (or “gNB”). As such, the base station 112may provide service to one or more access technologies to both currentand legacy UE. In addition to communicating with the current UE 104 and106 and the legacy UE 108 and 110, the base station 112 may alsocommunicate with one or more neighboring base stations. In someembodiments, the base station 112 may communicate with neighboring basestation 120 using the first access technology and may communicate withanother neighboring base station 122 using the second access technology.For example, because the base station 112 may operate concurrently as aneNodeB and a gNodeB using the antenna array 116 that is partitioned andoperating in a dual technology mode, the base station 112 maycommunicate with other base stations, for example, including legacy basestations that cannot use current access technologies (e.g., 5G) orcurrent base stations that lack backward compatibility with prior accesstechnologies (e.g., 4G). In embodiments, the base station 112 maybi-directionally exchange information with neighboring base stations 120and 122 through an X2 interface or X2 link. Information regarding signalquality, RF conditions, one or more RLFs, and SINR levels at each of theneighboring base stations 120 and 122, and/or as reported from UE to theneighboring base stations 120 and 122 may be communicated to the basestation 112 via the X2 link. Additionally or alternatively, informationregarding signal quality, RLFs, and SINR levels at each of theneighboring base stations 120 and 122 may be communicated to the basestation 112 over the backhaul.

As mentioned, the base station 112 may include a radio and/or acontroller, such as an MMU, that enables the base station 112 to adjustor modify the operations and transmissions of the plurality of antennaelements in the antenna array 116. In embodiments, the operations,configurations, and/or settings of each antenna element may beindividually controlled and adjusted by the base station 112 using thecontroller. In some embodiments, the operations, configurations, and/orsettings of the first portion of antenna elements may be controlled andadjusted as a group by the base station 112 using a controller, such asan MMU, independent of the second portion of antenna elements. In asimilar fashion, the operations, configurations, and/or settings of thesecond portion of antenna elements may be controlled and adjusted as agroup by the base station 112 using the controller, independent of thefirst portion of antenna elements. Accordingly, the base station 112 mayuse a controller to independently adjust different groups or portions ofantenna elements within one antenna array.

In embodiments, the operations, configurations, and/or settings of eachindividual antenna element may be adjusted and customized. For example,the base station 112 instructs a portion of antenna elements to transmitone or more synchronization signals using a periodicity. In anotherexample, the portion of antenna elements may transmit a plurality ofsynchronization signals using the periodicity, as instructed by the basestation 112. The synchronization signals may be specific to and/orconfigured for the first access technology, in embodiments.

Accordingly, the base station 112 may use a controller to independentlyadjust different individual antenna elements, any number of groupingsand/or subset(s) of each portion of antenna elements, and/or portions ofantenna elements within one antenna array. In embodiments, the basestation 112 may use a controller to measure and monitor one or more ofthroughput, signal quality metrics (e.g., SINR), a quantity of uniqueusers/subscribers, a quantity of unique UE, and/or RLFs.

Turning now to FIG. 2 , network environment 200 is an exemplary networkenvironment in which implementations of the present disclosure may beemployed. Network environment 200 is one example of a suitable networkenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the present disclosure. Neither shouldthe network environment be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of componentsillustrated.

Network environment 200 includes UE 202 (network environment 200 maycontain more UEs), network 208, database 210, dynamic assignment engine212, and cell site 214. In the network environment 200, UE 202 may takeon a variety of forms, such as a PC, a user device, a smart phone, asmart watch, a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a mobile device, atablet computer, a wearable computer, a PDA, a server, a CD player, anMP3 player, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a video player, ahandheld communications device, a workstation, a router, an accesspoint, and any combination of these delineated devices, or any otherdevice that communicates via wireless communications with a cell site214 in order to interact with network 208, which may be a public or aprivate network.

In some aspects, the UE 202 corresponds to a user device or a computingdevice. For example, the user device may include a display(s), a powersource(s) (e.g., a battery), a data store(s), a speaker(s), memory, abuffer(s), a radio(s), and the like. In some implementations, the UE 202comprises a wireless or mobile device with which a wirelesstelecommunication network(s) may be utilized for communication (e.g.,voice and/or data communication). In this regard, the user device may beany mobile computing device that communicates by way of a wirelessnetwork, for example, a 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, CDMA, or any other type ofnetwork.

In some cases, the UE 202 in network environment 200 may optionallyutilize network 208 to communicate with other computing devices (e.g., amobile device(s), a server(s), a personal computer(s), etc.) throughcell site 214. The network 208 may be a telecommunications network(s),or a portion thereof. A telecommunications network might include anarray of devices or components (e.g., one or more base stations), someof which are not shown. Those devices or components may form networkenvironments similar to what is shown in FIG. 2 and may also performmethods in accordance with the present disclosure. Components such asterminals, links, and nodes (as well as other components) may provideconnectivity in various implementations. Network 208 may includemultiple networks, as well as being a network of networks, but is shownin more simple form so as to not obscure other aspects of the presentdisclosure.

Network 208 may be part of a telecommunication network that connectssubscribers to their service provider. In aspects, the service providermay be a telecommunications service provider, an internet serviceprovider, or any other similar service provider that provides at leastone of voice telecommunications and data services to UE 202 and anyother UEs. For example, network 208 may be associated with atelecommunications provider that provides services (e.g., LTE) to the UE202. Additionally or alternatively, network 208 may provide voice, SMS,and/or data services to user devices or corresponding users that areregistered or subscribed to utilize the services provided by atelecommunications provider. Network 208 may comprise any communicationnetwork providing voice, SMS, and/or data service(s), using any one ormore communication protocols, such as a 1× circuit voice, a 3G network(e.g., CDMA, CDMA2000, WCDMA, GSM, UMTS), a 4G network (WiMAX, LTE,HSDPA), or a 5G network. The network 208 may also be, in whole or inpart, or have characteristics of, a self-optimizing network.

In some implementations, cell site 214 is configured to communicate withthe UE 202 that is located within the geographical area defined by atransmission range and/or receiving range of the radio antennas of cellsite 214. The geographical area may be referred to as the “coveragearea” of the cell site or simply the “cell,” as used interchangeablyhereinafter. Cell site 214 may include one or more base stations, basetransmitter stations, radios, antennas, antenna arrays, poweramplifiers, transmitters/receivers, digital signal processors, controlelectronics, GPS equipment, and the like. In particular, cell site 214may be configured to wirelessly communicate with devices within adefined and limited geographical area. For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, it may be assumed that it is undesirable and unintended bythe network 208 that the cell site 214 provide wireless connectivity tothe UE 202 when the UE 202 is geographically situated outside of thecell associated with the cell site 214.

In an exemplary aspect, the cell site 214 comprises a base station thatserves at least one sector of the cell associated with the cell site 214and at least one transmit antenna for propagating a signal from the basestation to one or more of the UE 202. In other aspects, the cell site214 may comprise multiple base stations and/or multiple transmitantennas for each of the one or more base stations, any one or more ofwhich may serve at least a portion of the cell. In some aspects, thecell site 214 may comprise one or more macro cells (providing wirelesscoverage for users within a large geographic area) or it may be a smallcell (providing wireless coverage for users within a small geographicarea). For example, macro cells may correspond to a coverage area havinga radius of approximately 1-15 miles or more, the radius measured atground level and extending outward from an antenna at the cell site. Inanother example, a small cell may correspond to a coverage area having aradius of approximately less than three miles, the radius measured atground level and extending outward from an antenna at the cell site.

In aspects, the antenna array associated with the cell site 214 isconfigured for beamforming, wherein one or more downlink signals can betransmitted in beams having different beam profiles. As used herein, abeam profile or a radiation pattern may be associated with a particularsignal, set of signals, antenna, or set of antennas, and may be said tohave a vertical beamwidth and a horizontal beamwidth; the horizontalbeamwidth is the angular width (i.e., azimuth) of a beam and thevertical beamwidth is the angular height of the beam. For example,traditional macro cells may have an approximately a 120 degreehorizontal beamwidth (i.e., a downlink signal is transmitted to userdevices in ⅓ of the horizontal plane centered on the antenna) and a 15degree vertical beamwidth. With respect to network environment 200, thedownlink signal may be said to be transmitted in a beam having avertical beamwidth. In aspects, the vertical beamwidth may be fixed(e.g., in a range of 7-15 degrees) or dynamic (e.g., using beamformingtechniques, the vertical beamwidth may change in response to networkconditions or UE demand).As such, the base station 112 may providecurrent UE 104 and 106 and legacy UE 108 and 110 with access to thenetwork 102, in embodiments. In some embodiments, the first portion ofantenna elements may communicate with current UE 104 and 106 using 5Gtechnology, and the second portion of the antenna elements maycommunicate with legacy UE 108 and 110 using 4G technology. Whenoperating in the dual technology mode, the antenna array 116 mayconcurrently connect to and communicate with the current UE 104 and 106and legacy UE 108 and 110 using, respectively, at least two distinctaccess technologies.

As shown, cell site 214 is in communication with the dynamic assignmentengine 212, which comprises a receiver 216, a detector 218, a determiner220, and an assignment controller 222. The dynamic assignment engine 212may connect UE 202 and other UEs to frequency bands within range of theUE 202 or other UEs for access to network 208. The dynamic assignmentengine 212 may also delay or prevent UE 202 connection to a frequencyband for access to network 208. The dynamic assignment engine 212 maycommunicate with the database 210 for storing and retrieving data.

For example, the receiver 216 may retrieve data from the UE 202, thenetwork 208, the database 210, and the cell site 214. In someembodiments, the receiver 216 may receive requests from UEs for accessto a particular frequency band. Further, data the receiver 216 mayaccess includes, but is not limited to, location information of the UE202 and channel quality information. Location information may compriseGPS or other satellite location services, terrestrial triangulation, anaccess point location, or any other means of obtaining coarse or finelocation information. The location information may indicate geographiclocation(s) of one or more of a user device, an antenna, a cell tower, acell site, and/or a coverage area of a cell site, for example. Channelquality information may indicate the quality of communications betweenone or more user devices and a particular cell site. For example,channel quality information may quantify how communications aretraveling over a particular communication channel quality, thusindicating when communications performance is negatively impacted orimpaired. As such, channel quality information may indicate a realizeduplink and/or downlink transmission data rate of a cell site and/or eachof one or more user devices communicating with the cell site, observedSINR and/or signal strength at the user device(s), or throughput of theconnection between the cell site and the user device(s). Location andchannel quality information may take into account the UEs' capability,such as the number of antennas of the user device and the type ofreceiver used by the user device for detection. The receiver 216 mayalso be configured to receive information from cell sites other thancell site 214 or other processors and/or servers.

The receiver 216 may also access the active number of UEs being servedby the cell site by way of feedback provided from the UEs. The UEs couldfeed back its strongest set of top beams based on the beamsmeasurements. Based on that information, the base station couldcalculate the total number of users that has picked each individual beamas one of its strongest beams. The receiver 216 also may access thedownload traffic volume transmitted and yet to be transmitted from thecell site to the UEs being served by the cell site. Uplink trafficvolume received and yet to be received by the cell site from the UEsbeing served by that cell site can be accessed. The download and uploadtraffic volume is calculated for each beam as the sum of the trafficvolumes for each of the UEs considering that beam as one of itsstrongest beams. The receiver 216 can access received signal qualityvalues of the UEs being served by the cell site. Signal quality valuesmay consist of but is not limited to reference signal power received(RSRP), receive strength signal indicator (RSSI, reference signalreceived quality (RSRQ), signal to noise ratio (SINR), sector powerratio (SPR), or channel state information (CSI). Each of the accessiblepieces of data from the receiver 216 may be accessed over a period oftime to generate a time average. For example, the number of UEs may beaccessed over a period of time in order to generate a time average ofthe number of UEs being served by the cell site.

Each sector corresponds to a radiation pattern of a correspondingantenna at the cell site. The shape, size, and dimension(s) of theservice coverage area of the cell site are, generally, determined by anantenna's specific radiation pattern, as well as a direction, electricaltilt, mechanical tilt, installation height above the ground orsurrounding geographic area, technical operating specifications,materials, obstructions (i.e., buildings, mountains, or otherelevations), and power supplied to each of the first, second, and thirdantennas of the cell site 214, for example. The first, second, and thirdantennas wirelessly receive and transmit RF transmissions to and fromuser equipment, other antennas, other cell sites, base stations, and/orsatellites in order to facilitate communications between such devices.In an embodiment, the first, second, and third antennas of the cell sitecapture two-way communications between the network 202 and userequipment devices that are within a geographic area corresponding to theservice coverage area of the cell site.

Turning to detector 218, the detector 218 may detect UEs within a range,frequency bands, SPRs of frequency bands, and loading factors (e.g.,loading volume) corresponding to frequency bands, etc. Loading factorsmay change depending upon the day and time of day (e.g., world eventssuch as natural disasters, terror attacks, pandemics, or religiousholiday may prompt surges of UE traffic to or from specific locations),and may be stored in the database 210. Loading factors may include cellsite 214 heat signature information, cell site 214 component performanceinformation, channel quality information, or processor loadmeasurements. Factors affecting the heat signature information of thecell site 214 include component model, component type, manufacturer, ageof a component, wear and tear due to environmental factors, etc.Further, loading factors may also include an amount of current, backhaultraffic, or an anticipated current or backhaul traffic. Additionally,factors affecting loading volume may include a quantity of usersconnected to each portion of a frequency band or antenna properties at atime of receiving communication parameters from UEs connected to thefrequency band. Other factors affecting loading volume may also includea capacity of the frequency band and data received from the quantity ofusers connected to the frequency band. The data received from thequantity of users may comprise a rate at which UEs are connected to anddisconnected from the frequency band.

Turning to determiner 220, the determiner 220 may determine atime-average beam quality for each beam of a first beam pattern. In someembodiments, the time-average beam quality for a beam pattern isdetermined using a pre-selected set of metrics which are monitored bythe detector 218. As a non-limiting example, the time averaged beamquality may be calculated from a time-average of the number of activeUEs being served by the beam ‘N’, a time-average of the down loadtraffic volume transmitted or yet to be transmitted ‘D’, a time-averageof the upload traffic received or yet to be received from UEs and atime-average of signal quality values ‘S’. The determiner may use aweighted average of the time-averaged metrics to calculate thetime-averaged beam quality for each beam of the first beam pattern. Forexample, the average beam quality for each beam of the beam pattern maybe determined using W_(N)*N+W_(D)*D+W_(U)*U+W_(S)*S, where each Wrepresents a respective weight for the individual metric. Determiner 220may then determine the total average beam quality for the beam patternfrom the combined weighted average beam quality for each beam within thebeam pattern.

Further, determiner 220 may determine a subset of beams from the beampattern where the subset of beams comprises ‘k’ number of beams.Determiner 220 may then determine an average beam quality for the subsetof beams. The subset of beams represent a number of beams which is lessthan the total number of beams. The subset of beams may be determined tobe the top ‘k’ beams out of all the beams for the first beam pattern,where the top ‘k’ beams is determined based on the time-average beamquality value for each beam of the total number of beams and selectingthe top time-average beam quality values. Determiner 220 may determinethat the top ‘k’ beams have a total average beam quality which isgreater than a pre-determine percentage of the total average beamquality for the beam pattern. The pre-determined percentage may bepre-determined by the site administrator and may be modified. Determiner220 may then determine a second beam pattern. The second beam patternbeing the smallest beam pattern from an available set of all beampatterns. The second beam pattern closely resembling the subset beams intheir azimuth and vertical beam directions. Additionally, the secondbeam pattern may include all of the subset beams.

Lastly, assignment controller 222, re-assigns the cell site to broadcastusing the second beam pattern in response to the determination of thesecond beam pattern. The assignment controller 222 may re-assign thecell site to communicate using the second beam pattern if it isdetermined that the total average beam quality for subset beams isdetermined to be greater than the pre-determined percentage of the totalaverage beam quality of the first beam pattern. Furthermore, theassignment controller 222 may re-assign the cell site to communicate viathe first or default beam pattern after a time period. This time periodis pre-determined and may be modified by a site administrator.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , exemplary operating environment 300 comprisescell site 302, a first antenna array 303, one or more antennas, a beampattern comprising beam 310, beam 320, beam 330, beam 340, beam 350,beam 360, beam 370, and beam 380. In aspects, the one or more antennasmay be dipole antennas, having a length, for example, of ¼, ½, 1, or 1½wavelength. In aspects, the first antenna array 303 may be an activeantenna array, FD-MIMO, massive MIMO, 3G, 4G, 5G, and/or 802.11. Whilewe refer to dipole antennas herein, in other aspects, the one or moreantennas 304 may be monopole, loop, parabolic, traveling-wave, aperture,yagi-uda, conical spiral, helical, conical, radomes, horn, and/orapertures, or any combination thereof. It is noted that adjusting one ormore individual power supplies to the one or more antennas of the firstantenna array 303 may be applicable to an antenna array comprising anytype of antenna targeting any portion of the RF spectrum (though anylower than VHF may be size prohibitive). In one aspect, the one or moreantennas may be configured to communicate in the UHF and/or SHFspectrum, for example, in the range of 1.3 GHz-30 GHz.

By way of a non-limiting example, the first antenna array 303 maycomprise 64 antenna elements arranged in an 8×8 structure. In otheraspects, the first antenna array 303 may comprise antenna elementsarranged in an 8×4, 4×8, or 4×4 configuration. Each antenna element ofthe first antenna array 303 comprises a dedicated power supply having acertain phase and amplitude to a respective antenna element. In anaspect, the power supply comprises a power amplifier. In an aspect notdepicted in the figures, the base station may further comprise aprocessor. The processor may be one or more of processors, servers,computer processing components, or the like. In some aspects, theprocessor may be communicatively coupled to each node and/or to eachantenna of each node.

In certain aspects, the first antenna array 303 may communicate or iscapable of communicating with devices, using a 5G wireless communicationprotocol. While in this example 5G is mentioned as a wirelesscommunication protocol, it should be understood that any wirelesscommunication protocol standard may be utilized for example, 3G, 4G,LTE, 5G, 802.11, or any other operator-elected wireless communicationprotocol standard. In the aspect depicted in FIG. 3 , the first antennaarray 303 can include 64 antenna elements each with a distinct directionwhich may be known, and where each antenna element is capable ofcommunicating with one or more devices, e.g., using one or more specificbeams, each identifiable as a beam index, as referred to herein, inaspects. In the same or alternative aspects, a device may communicatewith more than one antenna element of the first antenna array 303. Inaspects, using the methods and systems disclosed herein with ahigh-density antenna array, such as the first antenna array 303, andusing a 5G wireless communication protocol as an example, can facilitatethe strategic assignment of beam indices and/or allotment of beamindices tailored for a specific purpose or environment.

By way of example, as depicted by FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the sector or cellsite is broadcasting 8 beams using beam pattern 410. Detector 218 maydetect that the sector or the cell site 302 has a first beam pattern 410which has a first average beam quality value determined by determiner220. Additionally, determiner 220 may determine that a subset of beams,beams 1-4, have an average beam quality value which is greater than thepre-determined percentage of the average beam quality value of the firstbeam pattern 410. Determiner 220 may then determine that the second beampattern 420 is the smallest of the available beam patterns, whichresemble beams 1-4 in the azimuth and vertical direction and containsall subset beams. Beam pattern 414 would not satisfy the criteria as itdoes not contain all of the subset beams 1-4. As such, assignmentcontroller 222 may then re-assign the cell site or antenna array tocommunicate via the second beam pattern 412. Assignment controller maythen assign the cell site to revert to the first beam pattern 410following a pre-defined time interval. This process is then repeated toensure that the cell site communicating via the beam pattern withmaximum beam quality.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , flow diagram 500 comprises an exemplary methoddynamically switching beam patterns from a default beam pattern to amodified beam pattern. Initially at block 510, a time-averaged beamquality for each beam is calculated from a set of monitored metrics. Atblock 520, based on the average beam quality for all beams within thearray, pick the top number of beams. The ‘k’ of beams represent a subsetof beams and may be any number of beams less than the total number ofbeams and may be assigned during initial set-up of the sector or antennaarray by the site administrator or modified after initial set-up. Atblock 530, determine the smallest beam pattern from the available set ofall beam patterns that closely resembles in their azimuth and verticaldirections and includes all subset beams. Further, the average beamquality of the subset beams may be checked to determine if it exceeds acertain percentage of the total average beam quality of all beams. Atblock 540, assign the antenna array to broadcast using the determinedbeam pattern rather than the default beam pattern. Additionally,following a period of time the antenna array may be re-assigned tobroadcast using the default beam pattern.

Referring now to FIG. 6 , a diagram is depicted of an exemplarycomputing environment suitable for use in implementations of the presentdisclosure. In particular, the exemplary computer environment is shownand designated generally as computing device 600. Computing device 600is but one example of a suitable computing environment and is notintended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of the invention. Neither should computing device 600 beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any oneor combination of components illustrated.

The implementations of the present disclosure may be described in thegeneral context of computer code or machine-useable instructions,including computer-executable instructions such as program components,being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal dataassistant or other handheld device. Generally, program components,including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, andthe like, refer to code that performs particular tasks or implementsparticular abstract data types. Implementations of the presentdisclosure may be practiced in a variety of system configurations,including handheld devices, consumer electronics, general-purposecomputers, specialty computing devices, etc. Implementations of thepresent disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices thatare linked through a communications network.

With continued reference to FIG. 6 , computing device 600 includes bus602 that directly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory604, one or more processors 606, one or more presentation components608, input/output (I/O) ports 610, I/O components 612, and power supply614. Bus 602 represents what may be one or more busses (such as anaddress bus, data bus, or combination thereof). Although the devices ofFIG. 6 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality,delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, thelines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, one mayconsider a presentation component such as a display device to be one ofI/O components 612. Also, processors, such as one or more processors606, have memory. The present disclosure hereof recognizes that such isthe nature of the art, and reiterates that FIG. 6 is merely illustrativeof an exemplary computing environment that can be used in connectionwith one or more implementations of the present disclosure. Distinctionis not made between such categories as “workstation,” “server,”“laptop,” “handheld device,” etc., as all are contemplated within thescope of FIG. 6 and refer to “computer” or “computing device.”

Computing device 600 typically includes a variety of computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by computing device 500 and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computerstorage media and communication media. Computer storage media includesboth volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data.

Computer storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage, or other magnetic storage devices. Computer storage media doesnot comprise a propagated data signal.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

Memory 604 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatileand/or nonvolatile memory. Memory 604 may be removable, nonremovable, ora combination thereof. Exemplary memory includes solid-state memory,hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device 600 includes oneor more processors 606 that read data from various entities such as bus602, memory 604, or I/O components 612. One or more presentationcomponents 608 presents data indications to a person or other device.Exemplary one or more presentation components 608 include a displaydevice, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc. I/O ports610 allow computing device 600 to be logically coupled to other devicesincluding I/O components 612, some of which may be built in computingdevice 600. Illustrative I/O components 612 include a microphone,joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device,etc.

Radio 616 represents a radio that facilitates communication with awireless telecommunications network. Illustrative wirelesstelecommunications technologies include CDMA, GPRS, TDMA, GSM, and thelike. Radio 616 might additionally or alternatively facilitate othertypes of wireless communications including Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, or otherVoIP communications. As can be appreciated, in various embodiments,radio 616 can be configured to support multiple technologies and/ormultiple radios can be utilized to support multiple technologies. Awireless telecommunications network might include an array of devices,which are not shown so as to not obscure more relevant aspects of theinvention. Components such as a base station, a communications tower, oreven access points (as well as other components) can provide wirelessconnectivity in some embodiments.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the scopeof the claims below. Embodiments of our technology have been describedwith the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after andbecause of reading it. Alternative means of implementing theaforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of theclaims below. Certain features and sub-combinations are of utility andmay be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinationsand are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. One or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodiedthereon that, when executed, perform a method for dynamically modifyingbeam patterns of an antenna array, the method comprising: communicatingwith one or more user devices using a first beam pattern; determining atime-average beam quality value for each of a plurality of beams withinthe first beam pattern; determining an average beam quality value forthe first beam pattern, the average beam quality value being based onthe time-average beam quality value determined for each of the pluralityof beams within the first beam pattern; based on the determinedtime-average beam quality values, identifying, from the plurality ofbeams, a first subset of beams of the first beam pattern having a,highest time-average beam quality value; determining an average beamquality value for the first subset of beams of the first beam pattern;identifying a second beam pattern, wherein the second beam patterncomprises at least the first subset of beams; instructing the antennaarray to communicate with the one or more user devices using the secondbeam pattern based on a determination that the average beam qualityvalue for the first subset of beams is greater than a percentage of theaverage beam quality value of the first beam pattern; determining that apre-defined time period has occurred; and re-assigning the antenna arrayto communicate with the one or more user devices using the first beampattern.
 2. The non-transitory media of claim 1, wherein the averagebeam quality value for the first beam pattern comprises an average of atime-average beam quality value for each beam within the first beampattern.
 3. The non-transitory media of claim 2, wherein thetime-average beam quality value for each of a plurality of beams withinthe first beam pattern is determined using a weighted average of a setof metrics.
 4. The non-transitory media of claim 3, wherein the set ofmetrics comprises one or more of; an active number of user devicesreporting that the first beam pattern is one of its strongest servingbeams; a download traffic volume for all user devices reporting that thefirst beam pattern is one of its strongest serving beams; an uploadtraffic volume for all user devices reporting that the first beampattern is one of its strongest serving beams; or a signal qualityvalue.
 5. The non-transitory media of claim 4, wherein the signalquality value comprises one or more of reference signal power received,receive strength signal indicator, reference signal received quality,signal to noise ratio, sector power ratio, or channel state information.6. The non-transitory media of claim 1, wherein the first subset ofbeams comprises a first number of beams, the first number of beams beingless than a total number of beams in the first beam pattern.
 7. Thenon-transitory media of claim 1, wherein each of the beams within thefirst beam pattern and the second beam pattern comprise asynchronization signal block beam.
 8. The non-transitory media of claim1, wherein the first subset of beams is identified by determining a topnumber of beams from the first beam pattern.
 9. A method for dynamicallymodifying for dynamically modifying beam patterns of an antenna array,the method comprising: communicating with one or more user devices usinga first beam pattern; determining a time-average beam quality value foreach of a plurality of beams within the first beam pattern; determiningan average beam quality value for the first beam pattern, the averagebeam quality value being based on the time-average beam quality valuedetermined for each of the plurality of beams within the first beampattern; identifying a first subset of beams of the first beam pattern;determining an average beam quality value for the first subset of beamsof the first beam pattern, the first subset of beams being a set ofbeams within the plurality of beams with the highest time-average beamquality values; identifying a second beam pattern; and instructing theantenna array to communicate with the one or more user devices using thesecond beam pattern based on a determination that the average beamquality value for the first subset of beams is greater than a percentageof the average beam quality value of the first beam pattern. determiningthat a pre-defined time period has occurred; and re-assigning theantenna array to communicate with the one or more user devices using thefirst beam pattern.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the average beamquality value for the first beam pattern comprises an average of atime-average beam quality value for each of a plurality of beams withinthe first beam pattern.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thetime-average beam quality value for each of the plurality of beamswithin the first beam pattern is determine using a weighted average of aset of metrics.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of metricscomprise one or more of; an active number of user devices reporting thatthe first beam pattern is one of its strongest serving beams; a downloadtraffic volume for all user devices reporting that the first beampattern is on of it strongest serving beams; an upload traffic volumefor all user devices reporting that the first beam pattern is on of itstrongest serving beams; or a signal quality value.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the signal quality value comprises one or more ofreference signal power received, receive strength signal indicator,reference signal received quality, signal to noise ratio, sector powerratio, or channel state information.
 14. The method of claim 9, whereinthe first subset of beams comprises a first number of beams, the firstnumber of beams being less than a total number of beams in the firstbeam pattern.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the second beam patterncomprises at least the first subset of beams.
 16. A system for managingbeam patterns of an antenna array, the system comprising: the antennaarray assigned to communicate with at least one or more user devicesusing a first beam pattern having an average beam quality value for thefirst beam pattern; a first subset of beams of the first beam patternhaving an average beam quality value for the first subset of beams; asecond beam pattern which comprises the first subset of beams; thesystem further comprising a processor configured to: instruct theantenna array to communicate with the at least one or more user devicesusing the second beam pattern based on a determination that the averagebeam quality value for the first subset of beams is greater than apredetermined percentage of the average beam quality value of the firstbeam pattern; determine that a pre-defined time period has occurred, andre-assign the antenna array to communicate with the one or more userdevices using the first beam pattern.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the average beam quality value for the first beam patterncomprises an average of a time-average beam quality value for each of aplurality of beams within the first beam pattern.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the time-average beam quality value for each of theplurality of beams within the first beam pattern is determine using aweighted average of a set of metrics.
 19. The system of claim 16,wherein the predetermined percentage is set by a site administrator.